Chapter Six - With or Without You

8pm - Ambulance Bay

"Meet you back here at 8?"

"Yeah sure. Aren't you comin' in?"

"Er..yeah in a minute I just gotta go somewhere."

"Where?"

"Nowhere you know! I'll be right back Abby."

"Ok then." She said curiously wanting to see what he was up to.

He kissed her quickly and walked off out of the ambulance bay, as Abby turned and walked into the ER.

"Abby!"

"Dr. Weaver?"

"Where's Carter?"

"Um..he's just on his way, he went to get some coffee."

"He's supposed to set an example for the other residents. He'll be in trouble later Abby."

She walked away leaving Abby slightly annoyed. Who was she to shout at her?! She wasn't Carter! It wasn't her fault he was off gallivanting somewhere she didn't know! The cheek. Next time she'll give Weaver a piece of her mind.

2 hours later - Lounge Area

Carter walked into the lounge to find Abby flicking through a magazine quickly, looking a little pissed off.

"Abby what's wrong?"

"Where the hell have you been?!" She said loudly as she slammed the magazine on the table and got up to walk towards him.

"I've been here ages!"

"Really? Well I haven't seen you anywhere." "You must have missed me. I've been helping a little girl in curtain 3 for a while, she had a rubber stuck up her nose!"

"Yeah okay."

"What's the matter?"

"I'm just a bit pissed that's all."

"Why? What's happened?"

"Weaver had a go at me cos you weren't here, like it's my fault!"

"Well it is!"

"How is it?"

"Cos I was out getting something for you."

"What?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out!"

"Oh John don't do this to me!"

"I'm sorry Abby but I can't tell you right now."

"But.." She was interrupted by Gallant poking his head around the door.

"Dr. Carter we've got 3 traumas coming in, one stab wound to the chest and 2 minors."

"Okay thanks!" He shouted as Gallant left again. "I'll talk to you later okay?"

"Yeah whatever."

"Abby don't be like that. I promise, all will be revealed!"

He kissed her head and walked out the room, leaving Abby curious once more. What is he hiding? Just then, Luka came into the lounge and smiled as he saw Abby standing with her arms folded, looking thoughtful.

"Hey Abby." No answer. "Abby?"

"Sorry what?"

"I said hi."

"Oh hey."

"You okay?"

"Yeah why wouldn't I be?"

"You just seem a little..annoyed?"

"No it's nothing. It's just that Carter..you don't wanna hear this."

"No it's fine really. I want to help."

"I don't really need help it's just..he's keeping a secret from me and then Weaver had a go at me because of him and it's just wound me up a bit. I guess I'm overreacting."

"No you're not. It's fine for you to be angry Abby. You're human."

"Gee thanks!"

"I'm serious."

"Thanks."

"It's no problem really."

He walked over and put his arm round her shoulder, reassuring her that it was all okay. He leaned and kissed the side of her head, just as Carter stormed in looking annoyed. He stopped in his tracks as he looked up and saw what was before him. Luka. Abby. Touching. Him with his arms round her. This can't be happening.

"What's goin' on here?"

"Oh I was just making sure Abby was alright."

"Yeah. I can see that. I guess I'll be looking for a house without you."

He gave Abby a heartbreaking look and walked out without a seconds thought.

"John wait!"

Too late. He was gone.

She searched, and she searched, but no luck. He was nowhere to be found. She had tried all the places in the hospital she could think of, she knew he had reason to fly off the handle, it did look pretty sussed. But she knew there was really nothing in it, and Luka had no intention to try anything. Abby had noticed Luka giving Susan a few longing looks recently anyway, maybe there was something there. She told herself she would chat with Susan about it later, give her a little push and ask him for a drink, but at that moment she had bigger things to think about.

It wasn't until 7pm that Abby decided it was time for another break. She had taken a few during the day, searching for Carter, but he was nowhere to be found. Not at Magoo's, by the river at their bench, at her apartment, at his. Nowhere. The only other place she could think of was on the roof. She slowly made her way upstairs, holding her breath as she slowly opened the door leading to the rooftop.

She flinched as she saw his back to her, his figure shadowing on the ground, and his breath cold in the night air. It was chilly out, but she didn't care she was in her blue uniform, she carefully close the door behind her, making sure he didn't hear.

"I knew you'd work it out eventually." He said, his back still turned.

"How long have you been up here?"

"Couple of hours."

"Doing what?"

"Just thinking."

"About..?"

"Us. This whole situation."

"What situation? John there's nothing going on."

"That's not what it looked like to me."

"Well it looked wrong. It wasn't what it looked like."

"There just seems to be a few too many excuses. It's not like I haven't seen you flirting with.." She interrupted.

"Flirting?! That's a good one John."

"It's true though. Good but true."

"That's where you're wrong. Completely wrong. He was just making sure I was..."

"Alright. Yeah I know. He's always making sure you're always 'alright'. But it just seems that it happens too often."

"You're so wrong John."

"Am I?!"

"Yes! Don't you realise I don't love Luka? I never have and never will! When are you gonna accept that and stop looking for feelings that aren't there."

"Why don't YOU stop denying feelings that are there and pretending you have feelings for me when you really don't!"

"Oh my God John you are so off the mark I'm not even gonna bother with you." She turned and began to walk away.

"That's it Abby walk away!"

She swung around, getting more and more angry by the second.

"I am NOT walking away John."

"What are you doing then?"

"This conversation is over. I tried to make you understand but obviously you're not going to. I guess you're searching for that virgin again now!"

With that she stormed off and left Carter alone, again. He cursed himself for being so stupid. But still deep down he felt that her heart belonged to Luka. It was going to be a long night, without her.

( They've broken up! I'm sorry it had to be done. Will they get together again?! Doesn't look hopeful..RnR though! Thanks! ;)